This was the first of two incidents in the NAB Cup that the AFL came down hard on. The other one was Matthew Stokes (Geelong) making contact with Domenic Cassisi (Port Adelaide).The actual incident in this match was more side-on contact than front-on. Most of the force was from Grover pushed Lachlan Hansen into Johnsons arse.
However, as part of the “crackdown”, the Match Review Panel assessed this as a Level 4 offense, which meant a 3 weeks on the sidelines if Johnson accepted the charge (25% discount for an early guilty plea). Fremantle wisely contested but were unsuccessful, meaning that Johnson was whacked with a 4 week suspension.
At this point we’re wondering if the AFL and Match Review Panel could sustain this level of “cracking down” on front-on contact through the rest of the year. Unfortunately for Michael Johnson they’ve gone soft. Michael Johnson was ripped off BIG TIME!!
I reckon this is one of the worst examples. Bock collected Darcy in the head while Darcy had his head over the ball. There was no report on the day and the MRP gave Bock a reprimand (i.e. he wasn’t suspended). This was less than 4 weeks after Michael Johnson.
Match Review Panel Assessment:
Nathan Bock, Adelaide, has been charged with bumping or making forceful contact from front-on against Luke Darcy, the Western Bulldogs, during the fourth quarter of the Round Two match between Adelaide and the Western Bulldogs, played at the MCG on Sunday April 8, 2007.
In summary, he can accept a reprimand and 93.75 points towards his future record with an early plea.
The incident was assessed as negligent conduct (one point), low impact (one point) and high contact (two points). This is a total of four activation points, which relates to a Level One Offence, drawing 125 demerit points and a one-match sanction. He has no applicable good or bad record. An early plea reduces the sanction by 25 per cent to a reprimand and 93.75 points towards his future record.
This report was dismissed by the MRP. They reckon “Tambling ducked into Stenglein”. I reckon Tambling had his head down to pick up the ball and Stenglein made contact front-on. Just like the AFL is trying so hard to stop.
Match Review Panel Assessment:
The match day report laid against West Coast’s Tyson Stenglein, for making front-on contact to Richmond’s Richard Tambling during the first quarter, was assessed. It was the view of the panel that Tambling ducked into Stenglein as Stenglein approached the contest. The West Coast player had no alternative to contest the ball and the contact to Tambling’s head was caused by circumstances outside Stenglein’s control. As such, no further action was required.
This is another example of what you’d think the AFL was trying to prevent – “bumping a player front-on with his head down over the ball”. Kirk got a reprimand – compare this to Michael Johnsons 4 weeks.
Match Review Panel Assessment:
Brett Kirk, Sydney, has been charged with bumping or making forceful contact from front-on against Chad Cornes, Port Adelaide, during the fourth quarter of Sunday’s Round Eight match between Sydney and Port Adelaide, played at the SCG on Sunday May 20, 2007.
In summary, his existing five-year good record means he can accept a reprimand and 70.31 points towards his future record with an early plea.
The incident was assessed as negligent conduct (one point), low impact (one point) and high contact (two points). This is a total of four activation points, resulting in a classification of a Level One offence, drawing 125 demerit points and a one-match sanction. He has an existing good record, which reduces the penalty by 25 per cent to a reprimand and 93.75 points towards his future record. An early plea reduces the penalty by 25 per cent to a reprimand and 70.31 points towards his future record.
Kirk pleaded guilty and accepted a reprimand and 70.31 points towards his future record.
This is as close as we’ve come to the penatly that Michael Johson received – Kerr got 3 weeks, reduced to 2 after an early guilty plea. I can’t see why this is any worse or better than the other examples here. Johnsons certain isn’t twice as bad.
Match Review Panel Assessment:
Daniel Kerr, West Coast, has been charged with bumping or making forceful contact from front-on against Cameron Bruce, Melbourne, during the first quarter of the round eight match between West Coast and Melbourne, played at Subiaco on Sunday May 20, 2007.
In summary, his previous poor record means his sanction must remain at two matches.
The incident was assessed as reckless conduct (two points), low impact (one point) and high contact (two points). This is a total of five activation points, resulting in a classification of a Level Two offence, drawing 250 demerit points and a two-match sanction. He has an existing poor record of one match suspended within the last three years, increasing his sanction by 10 per cent and he also has 35.93 demerit points carried over from within the last 12 months, increasing his penalty to 310.93 points and a three-match sanction. An early plea reduces the penalty by 25 per cent to 233.20 points and a two-match sanction.
Kerr pleaded guilty and accepted a two-game sanction.
This is a good one: “Tambling fell into Lucas’ hip”. Hee hee haw.
With that sort of logic Steven Baker should have been reported, then aquitted, for head-butting Chris Judds elbow in 2005.
Crikey. Poor old Tambling – only needed two Doctors on the scene this time.
Match Review Panel Assessment:
Contact between Essendon’s Scott Lucas and Richmond’s Richard Tambling from the third quarter of Saturday’s game was reviewed. It was the view of the panel that Tambling fell into Lucas’ hip while the Essendon player gained possession of the ball. The umpire blew the whistle as Lucas gained possession and it was viewed that the Essendon player had no realistic alternative to contest the ball. As such, no further action was required.
If they’re cracking down on this sort of bump, then this suspension is fair enough. But there was nothing actually wrong with Presti – he got up and kept playing.
Match Review Panel Assessment:
Ryan Crowley, Fremantle, has been charged with bumping or making forceful contact from front-on against Simon Prestigiacomo, Collingwood, during the second quarter of the Round Ten match between Fremantle and Collingwood, played at the MCG on Friday June 1, 2007.
In summary, his existing carry-over points from a previous offence means that his penalty must remain as a one-game sanction. Please note that this particular charge is classified as body contact, as the rule covers for contact to be made to the head/neck or the body from front-on.
The incident was assessed as reckless conduct (two points), low impact (one point) and body contact (one point). This is a total of four activation points, resulting in a classification of a Level One offence, drawing 125 demerit points and a one-match sanction. He has 93.75 points carried over from within the last 12 months, increasing the penalty to 218.75 points and a two-match sanction. An early plea reduces the penalty by 25 per cent to 164.06 points and a one-match sanction.
No video for this one – can someone post a link here?? This one sounds like it created the worst (only??) injury of all of these incidents – Ricciuto was apparently dazed and groggy and was forced him from the field.
And can someone explain how the MRP determined that Rooke had a “Good” record based on VFL experience (25% penalty discount), whereas Michael Johnson had “No applicable record”, even though Johnson had never been suspended in the AFL or WAFL before?? Another inconsistency!!
Match Review Panel Assessment:
Max Rooke, Geelong, has been charged with bumping or making forceful contact from front-on against Mark Ricciuto, Adelaide, during the third quarter of the Round Eleven match between Geelong and Adelaide, played at AAMI Stadium on Sunday June 10, 2007.
In summary, his existing good record enables him to accept a one-game sanction.
The incident was assessed as negligent conduct (one point), medium impact (two points) and high contact (two points). This is a total of five activation points, resulting in a classification of a Level Two offence, drawing 250 demerit points and a two-match sanction. He has an existing five-year good record, subject to confirmation tomorrow (Tuesday) by AFL Victoria of his VFL record, which reduces the penalty by 25 per cent to 187.52 points and a one-match sanction. An early plea reduces the penalty by 25 per cent to 140.63 points and a one-match sanction.
This one was ‘assessed’ (as in ‘determined through magic’) as Rough Conduct, rather than a Front-on-Bump like the other examples above – fair enough. But I’ve included it here as a comparison. Perhaps the MRP is getting more consistent, but it’s still a very soft suspension.
The supporters aren’t happy.
Match Review Panel Assessment:
Anthony Rocca, Collingwood, has been charged with engaging in rough conduct against Sean Dempster, Sydney, during the third quarter of the Round Twelve match between Collingwood and Sydney, played at Telstra Stadium on Saturday June 23, 2007.
In summary, he can accept a one-match sanction with an early plea.
The incident was assessed as negligent conduct (one point), medium impact (two points) and high contact (two points). This is a total of five activation points, resulting in a classification of a Level Two offence, drawing 225 demerit points and a two-match sanction. He has no applicable good or bad record. An early plea reduces the penalty by 25 per cent to 168.75 points and a one-match sanction.
